A LONG way off from hanging up his Queen crown, Brian May tells us he’s in negotiations to get Lady Gaga to front a new look version of the legendary group.

Guitarist May, 64, who has been a member of the band since 1971, reveals he is looking to recruit the eccentric US star to solve “the singer problem” the band have had since front man Freddie Mercury died two decades ago.

Speaking at the BMI awards at London’s Dorchester hotel where he received an Icon award on behalf of the band, Brian told us: “We talk about going out on the road all the time but there’s a bit of a singer problem to put it mildly,” he said.

“We get a lot of offers to work with other people. I worked with Lady Gaga and she’s very creative and is someone we’ve talked about singing, fronting the band with. She’s not just a singer, she writes her own material.”

He also said that 25-year-old Gaga isn’t the only person he has considered.

“We have talked about doing duets with other people and in a strange way I almost pressed the yes button. We were debating the idea of a TV show where we have all these guest stars. We didn’t press it today but we are still looking at it. Lady Gaga has said she would like to do something with us.”

I worked with Lady Gaga and she’s very creative and is someone we’ve talked about singing, fronting the band with.

Brian May

Brian, who also launched a commemorative book called 40 Years Of Queen this week, says he has never been busier with the band. “We’re busy doing two films. One is about Freddie and one is We Will Rock You, the movie version of the musical.

“There seems to be endless stuff to do. We are very fortunate – it’s amazing to be so busy after 40 years.”